Chemical Weapons Used in Syria
Somebody used chemical weapons near Aleppo, Syria. The rebels claim they do not have the capacity to use them, Assad claims otherwise, Assad has the capability to fire missiles with chemical warheads. In this first volley, if Assad fired this, chlorine gas may have been used killing 15-20 people. In another city, Homs, fierce battles between government and rebel forces have occurred in recent days, if Aleppo was a test, to see what Obama does, than this city will be next. If the rebels win the battle, then it would sever the main highway linking the Syrian military forces fighting in the towns of Damascus, Latakia, Aleppo and Idlib. This may be where Assad will really make use especially if the US and NATO do little about it. In essence, Assad is calling President Obama's bluff about any use of chemical weapons is a red line for America. So far, there has been no response.
The battle for Homs may be the pivotal battle in this three year war. It might be Assad's "last gasp" because his heavy armored forces of the 4th and 5th Republican Guard Divisions were moved from Damascus to support the 18th and 19th Divisions already there. But worse, reports indicate that chemical warfare gear were issued also.
President Obama arrives in Israel soon and Assad is playing his options by attacking into Lebanon and using chemical weapons. Should these options fail, he is done and the next phase begins, that is, the Free Syrian Army will battle with the Islamist Front for whatever pieces remain. There is little doubt that international intervention seems to be going to happen much sooner. Something is going to drag NATO into the quagmire because of the "red line" promises made by Obama.
And, I have not even mentioned what Israel might do with or without the approval from the USA.
